Improved explosive agent



CARL DITTMAF, or CHARIQOTTENBURG, rnnssm.

5 'IMPROVED sxPLosnn-z AGENT, CALLED XYLQGLQDINE.

Specification forming-pa-ztof Letters PatentNo. 99,069, dated January 25, 1870.

I, CARL, DITTMAR, of Gharlot'teulnn'g,in

the liingdom of Prussia, have invented a 'new and'Improred Explosive Agent, which I call Xyloglodine, of which the following is a.

' specification:

Nature and objects of the intention. Though, for blasting purposes, xyloglodlne nay he used singly, it is intended to be mixed ..with prepared cellulose or other porous sub- ;stances, explosive or inexplosive, by which process a powder is produced, known by the name of (lllfililh Of which I am also the first and sole inventor.

- Xyloglodine is a fluid of a milky, reddish,

or white color, and ofa consistency that, ac-

cording to the process of manufacture, will vary from that of ordinary sirup to that of thick broth. 7 sxyloglodine differs from the explosive agent cellediiitro-glycerine or nitroleum, especially the following points, to wit:

a. Xylog'lodine can he exploded like com- "mon gunpowder, and does not require the use of a, cap.

b. Xyloglodine is less sensitive to cold than nitro-glycerine.

fa. Xyloglodine is stronger than nitroglyerine.

" d. X ylo glodine is, in its manufacture andhandling, less dangerous than nitro-glycerine.

Xylogl'odine consists of nitric and sulphuric acid, and of. glycerinestarch, or glycerin-ecellulose, or glyccrineunannite, or glycerine henzole, or analogous substances.

1. Sulphuric acid of commerce is boiled with pulverized charcoal until it is rendered free from nitrogen, and reaches a density of 67 Bonnie. For this purpose an iron or glass apparatus may be used.

2. Nitric acid, of 48 to 50 Bunnie, is thoroughly puri tied.

These prepared acidsare mixed in the proportion of about one and a half part of sulphuric acid to one part of nitric acid. The

inixtureis allowed to stand in a closeil vessel for from eight to fourteen days before usin it, during which time it is subjected to blasts of dry, hot air, for the purpose of freeing it from nitrogen. Instead-0t using one and a. half part of purifiedsulphuric acid, of 67 Bennie, one part of the same and 0ne-half "stance, hydrochloric acidand boiling it with an alkaliuntil itis rendered a chemically pure cellulose. This is dried,tinelypulverizcd, and

roasted until it turns to a yellowish-brown eolor,.by which process its chemical character, analogous to the process applied in the preparation of glycerinc'starch,- is changed, until it becomes a cellulose, containing less hydrogen and oxygen than nitro -starcli or nitro eellulose prepared in the ordinary manner. If it is desirahlqi'or sp'ccilic purposes, the cellulose may be chaired; This prepared cellulose, or prepared charred eellu' lose, is now mixed with anhydrous glycerin-e in ditierent proportions, the cellulose remaining floating in the liquid.

0. Glyceriue-Inannite is prepared by drying' the mannite thoroughly, finely pulverizing it, and mixing it in diii'ereut proportions with anhydrous glyeerine of at least 30Baum.

d. Glycerinebenzole' is prepared by mixing, in different proportions, henzole or h'enzolc-- toluole with anhydrous glycerine of b0? Ban me.-

5. G1 ycerine-st-areh glycerinecellulose, gl ycerine-niannitc, glyecrine-benzole, or any of' the substances prepared in an analogous manner, is now mixed with the mixture of acids described -under No. 3,..in the proportion of one pound to from eight to ten pounds of the mixed acids. In order to render this process safe and expeditious, I apply my newly-invented apparatus, i'or which'Letters Patent have been sought. The glycerine-starch, glyc.

erinecellulose, or glycerinc-mannite are left I in the mixture from ten to twenty minutes, according-to the quantity used.

6. The whole mass is now either treated 'to a bethof pure water, or is placed in .an iron or leaden vessel, when the acids will'readily separate from the uitrated compounds, which acid. and chloride of calcium, during which process the temperature must not exceed 50 ccntigradc.

Having now. fully described the nature of my invention, and the mode of executing the same, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters. Patent, isx---'- 1. The process of manufacture or preparation of my new'and improvedexp'losive agent, which I call xyloglodine, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set fortln.

2. The new compound called xyloglodine,

made by the above-mentioned process.

CARL DlTT'MAR.

Witnesses:

W. M. Maw, V. Smmmnm 

